Questions Remain Over Former Raley's Furniture Store's Future

[Editor]

Concerns about blight are growing over the vacant building on Great Mills Road now owned by
Regency Furniture. (Photo: The County Times)

By Guy Leonard, The County Times

(Sept. 26, 2019) At the annual State of the County luncheon in Lexington Park Tuesday, Sept. 24, commissioners were asked what could be done about the skeleton of the building on Great Mills Road that once housed the Raley's Home Furnishings business.

For months the building has stood vacant and gutted with several of its outer walls torn down.

Commissioner Todd Morgan said the county has attempted to contact regional furniture retailer Regency Furniture about what they plan to do with the building—the company bought out Raley's Home Furnishings several years ago to build a new store there—but to no avail.

"Regency Furniture hasn't called back," Morgan told the attendees at the St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event. "We've given them all the permits they need." Morgan said he has grown concerned about the building in its present condition as it has attracted drug users, prostitutes and homeless squatters.

Calls to Regency Furniture were not returned as of press time.

Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron confirmed Morgan's concerns mentioned at the State of the County event.

"We've heard a lot of concerns expressed about the people who are frequenting and loitering on that property," Cameron said. "They're trespassing as I'm sure they don't have permission from the owners to be there."

Cameron said the building, though missing some walls providing some measure of protection from the elements and as such became attractive to homeless people seeking shelter there.

Cameron said the property as it now stands brings more blight and decay to the area, which has struggled with revitalization efforts.

He said deputies assigned to the community continued to patrol and watch the property to forestall against the situation growing worse.

"We're trying to do what we can do before it can become an absolute nuisance," Cameron told The County Times.

For more local stories from the County Times newspapers, visit https://countytimes.somd.com or find a copy on local news stands.

 

[Goldenhawk]

I won't miss the decade-long "Going out of business" sale.

But I was hopeful when they started putting up a new wall to the eastern end of the building; it looked like they were just renovating and expanding the space - until that work stalled out. Now - no sign of any activity.

 

[spr1975wshs]

How odd, my Mrs asked me if I had seen any info on that building just a couple minutes ago.

 

[glhs837]

I've thought that parking my bike in the entryway with the staircase to nowhere behind it in the opening would be pretty cool.

 

[BernieP]

Here's an idea....

Start at CVS and head east to Lexington Park Methodist. - what we call in the big city, Urban Renewal.

 

[glhs837]

No, man, the Executive Hair Salon is boomin......

 

[BernieP]

ha ha, I've been saying the same thing for 25 years, except I always thought they should start at 235 and push right through to MD 5. Hire every dozer in the county and line them up side by side.

With the exception of the churches, excellent idea.

 

[LightRoasted]

If I may ...

I wonder why it is that most areas outside military installations always seem to be in a state of squalor? And why many predatory businesses are allowed to be located just a stones throw from the installation gates as well?

 

[luvmygdaughters]

Oh Please...nothing beats that dilapidated, falling down, probably rodent infested building that once was Penny's, in Leonardtown. That thing has got to go. They put up a few new shops almost next to it and it looks like they're clearing across the street to put up more shops. You'd think they would want to get rid of that eyesore.